Is the recruiting landscape changing, especially in talent-rich Mobile?

It's no secret that Mobile became a linchpin in Nick Saban's recruiting strategy when he arrived at Alabama, creating a pipeline that pulled Julio Jones, Mark Barron, D.J. Fluker, AJ McCarron, C.J. Mosley and others to Tuscaloosa for a pit stop before heading to the NFL.

Auburn all but owned Mobile during the Tommy Tuberville Era, and Saban had his own success recruiting Mobile while at LSU, persuading future No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell to leave the state and sign with LSU.

But since Saban's arrival in Tuscaloosa, he has owned Mobile.

Might Gus Malzahn be changing that? It's true that Mobile has produced a smaller crop of recruits during the last few seasons, and Mobile's Class of 2014 - led by St. Paul's linebacker Tre Williams - found Auburn more attractive.

The top three players from Coastal Alabama - Williams, Vigor linebacker Deshaun Davis and Vigor defensive end Justin Thornton -- all picked Auburn and are expected to report later this week.

Craig emerged as a star quarterback at Blount High in Prichard, winning two state titles in the 1990s before heading to Auburn and setting passing records during the Terry Bowden Era. Craig is considered one of college football's most effective recruiters - that's no secret - and he definitely understands how to connect with kids from Mobile.